a very dangerous whirlpool on the coast of Norway, in the 68th degree of latitude, in the province of Nordland, and the district of Lofoten, and near the island of Moskoe, from whence it also takes the name of Moskofstrom. Its violence and roarings exceed that of a cataract, being heard to a great distance, and without any intermission, except a quarter every sixth hour, that is, at the turn of high and low water, when its impetuosity seems at a stand, which short interval is the only time the fishermen can venture in: but this motion soon returns, and, however calm the sea may be, gradually increases with such a draught and vortex as absorb whatever comes within their sphere of action, and keep it under water for some hours, when the fragments, thivered by the rocks, appear again. This circumstance, among others, makes strongly against Kircher and others, who imagine that there is here an abyss penetrating the globe, and issuing in some very remote parts, which Kircher is so particular as to assign, for he names the gulph of Bothnia. But after the most exact researches which the circumstances will admit, this is but a conjecture without foundation; for this and three other vortices Maelstrom vortices among the Faroe islands, but smaller, have no other cause than the collision of waves rising and falling, at the flux and reflux, against a ridge of rocks and shelves, which confine the water so that it precipitates itself like a cataract; and thus the higher the flood rises, the deeper must the fall be; and the natural result of this is a whirlpool or vortex, the prodigious suction whereof is sufficiently known by lesser experiments. But what has been thus absorbed, remains no longer at the bottom than the ebb lasts; for the suction then ceases, and the flood removes all attraction, and permits whatever had been sunk to make its appearance again. Of the situation of this amazing Mokkafjord from we have the following account from Mr Jonas Ramus, "The mountain of Helleggen, in Lofoten, lies a league from the island Ver, and betwixt these two runs that large and dreadful stream called Mokkafjord, from the island Mokkoe, which is in the middle of it, together with several circumjacent isles, as Ambaaren, half a quarter of a league northward, Isfjorden, Hocholm, Kieldholm, Suarven, and Buckholm. Mokkoe lies about half a quarter of a mile south of the island of Ver, and betwixt them these small islands, Otterholm, Flimen, Sandstefen, Skarholm. Betwixt Lofoten and Mokkoe, the depth of the water is between 36 and 40 fathoms; but on the other side, towards Ver, the depth increases so as not to afford a convenient passage for a vessel, without the risk of splitting on the rocks, which happens even in the calmest weather: when it is flood, the stream runs up the country betwixt Lofoten and Mokkoe, with a boisterous rapidity; but the roar of its impetuous ebb to the sea, is scarce equalled by the loudest and most dreadful cataracts; the noise being heard several leagues off, and the vortices or pits are of such an extent and depth, that if a ship comes within its attraction, it is inevitably absorbed and carried down to the bottom, and there beat to pieces against the rocks; and when the water relaxes, the fragments thereof are thrown up again. But these intervals of tranquillity are only at the turn of the ebb and flood, in calm weather; and last but a quarter of an hour, its violence gradually returning. When the stream is most boisterous, and its fury heightened by a storm, it is dangerous to come within a Norway mile of it; boats, ships, and yachts having been carried away, by not guarding against it before they were within its reach. It likewise happens frequently, that whales come too near the stream, and are overpowered by its violence; and then it is impossible to describe their bowlings and bellowings in their fruitless struggles to disengage themselves. A bear once attempting to swim from Lofoten to Mokkoe, with a design of preying upon the sheep at pasture in the island, afforded the like spectacle to the people; the stream caught him, and bore him down, whilst he roared terribly, so as to be heard on shore. Large stocks of firs and pine trees, after being absorbed by the current, rise again, broken and torn to such a degree, as if brittle grew on them. This plainly shows the bottom to consist of craggy rocks, among which they are whirled to and fro. This stream is regulated by the flux and reflux of the sea; it being constantly high and low water every six hours. In the year 1645, early in the morning of Sextagesima Sunday, it raged with such noise and impetuosity, that on the island of Mokkoe, the very flames of the houses fell to the ground."

Mæacterion, the fourth month of the Athenian year, consisting of only 29 days, and answering to the latter part of September and the beginning of October.

Mæna, in ichthyology. See Sparus.

Mæonia, (anc. geog.), a town of Lydia, situate at the foot of mount Tmolus. Mæonii, the people. Mæonia, (Homer, Ovid), the feminine gentilis name: hence Mæonides, the muses, (Ovid). Mæonides denotes also Homer, (Ovid).

Mæotis Palus or Lacus, Mæotica Palus, or Mæoticus Lacus, (anc. geog.), a lake of Sarmatia Europea, extending from the Isthmus to the mouth of the Tanais to the east, in compass 9000 stadia, (Strabo). Still called Palus Mæotis, reaching from Crim Tartary to the mouth of the Don.

Mæstlin (Michael), in Latin Mæstlinus, a celebrated astronomer of Germany, was born in the duchy of Wittenberg; but spent his youth in Italy, where he made a speech in favour of Copernicus's system, which brought Galileo over from Aristotle and Ptolemy, to whom he had been hitherto entirely devoted. He afterwards returned to Germany, and became professor of mathematics at Tübingen; where, among his other scholars, he taught the great Kepler, who has praised several of his ingenious inventions, in his Astronomia Optica. Though Tycho Brahe did not assent to Mæstlin's opinion, yet he allowed him to be an extraordinary person deeply skilled in the science of astronomy. Mæstlin published many mathematical and astronomical works; and died in 1590.

Mæstricht, an ancient, large, and strong town of the Netherlands, ceded to the Dutch by the treaty of Munster. The town-house and the other public buildings are handsome, and the place is about four miles in circumference, and strongly fortified. It is governed jointly by the Dutch and the bishop of Liege; however, it has a Dutch garrison. The inhabitants are noted for making excellent fire-arms, and some say that in the arsenal there are arms sufficient for a whole army. Both Papists and Protestants are allowed the free exercise of their religion, and the magistrates are composed of both. It is seated on the river Maas, which separates it from Wyck, and with which it communicates by a handsome bridge. Mæstricht revolted from the Spaniards in 1579, but was reduced in 1579. Lewis XIV. became master of it in 1673; but it was restored to the States by the treaty of Nimeguen in 1678. E. Long. 5° 50'. N. Lat. 51° 5'.

Maffæus (Vegio), a Latin poet, born in Lombardy in 1467, was greatly admired in his time. He wrote epigrams, and a humorous supplement to Virgil, which he called The thirteenth book of the Eclogæ: this was as humorously translated into English a few years since by Mr Ellis. Maffæus wrote also some prose-works. He was chancellor of Rome towards the end of the pontificate of Martin V.; and died in 1458.

Maffeï (Scipio), a celebrated Italian poet, born of an illustrious and ancient family at Verona, in 1675. After having finished his studies, he took arms, and distinguished himself by his valour at the battle of Do-